Borrowing a Nikon D70

[Lello]

I don't know if this thread is in the right forum, If not, sorry.
I have swapped my Panasonic FZ30 for a Nikon D70 with a colleague (unfortunately only for the weekend) It has come with Nikkor 70-300 mm and Nikkor 28-80mm lenses.I'm going to the motor show on Sunday and as I've never used a SLR, and as I'm so used to my Panna I need a few tips on using the D70.
1.Which lens should I use (most of the shots will be indoors under spot lights)
2.White balance control, auto or another setting?
3.ISO, what will the best setting?
As I haven't been given a manual how easy is the D70 to use?
Any feed back and any tips will be greatly appreciated.
If I get on well I might be buying a SLR much sooner than I wanted (if wife agrees)
Lello

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Lello

I don't know if this thread is in the right forum, If not, sorry.
I have swapped my Panasonic FZ30 for a Nikon D70 with a colleague (unfortunately only for the weekend) It has come with Nikkor 70-300 mm and Nikkor 28-80mm lenses.I'm going to the motor show on Sunday and as I've never used a SLR, and as I'm so used to my Panna I need a few tips on using the D70.
1.Which lens should I use (most of the shots will be indoors under spot lights)
2.White balance control, auto or another setting?
3.ISO, what will the best setting?
As I haven't been given a manual how easy is the D70 to use?
Any feed back and any tips will be greatly appreciated.
If I get on well I might be buying a SLR much sooner than I wanted (if wife agrees)
Lello

Part of the work I do as a Pro photographer is as Official Photographer at events such as this. I recently completed one exhibition and over the 4 day event managed to amass 15GB of images, albeit with the help of a colleague for some of it.

The vast majority of the shots are taken with the aid of a flashgun, and in Raw mode. I will have the camera on a minimum of ISO400, but often thats boosted to 800 depending on the ambient light. I never let the flash take over, always using the ambient light to get a shutter speed I am happy to use handheld, usually no less than 1/45s

As a result I usually have the camera on shutter priority so I can control the speed more easily. If I can't achieve a reasonable shutter speed to allow a handheld shot then I will boost the ISO and one stop ie up to 800 is usually enough. For some of my work I am able to use a tripod so shuter speed is not then an issue. I doubt though whether you will be allowed to use a tripod, and I certainly wouldn't want to carry one round if I were you.

I always use Auto white balance, and as I use Raw I will usually be thinking of reducing the colour temp in Adobe Camera Raw to get a cooler more realistic result

It sounds as though you may not have the benefit of a separate on camera flashgun which would help fill in shadows and lift the image somewhat. I doubt the built in flash, I think the D70 has one will be of much use, esp with the long lens, so I'd probably forget that.

If this Motor show is at somewhere like the NEC I would think light levels would be pretty good, so you may not have many problems with exposure. I often find that I need to overexpose by half a stop at least, but you will have to experiment. Constantly review what you are getting (chimping) and adjust accordingly.

Most of all have fun and enjoy the camera

[Lello]

Thanks for your reply,
I have a flash gun that I hadn't considered taking, but now I will put it in the bag. which of the two lens do you think I should use?

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Lello

Thanks for your reply,
I have a flash gun that I hadn't considered taking, but now I will put it in the bag. which of the two lens do you think I should use?

If you only take one I would use the 28-80, though don't forget the D70 has a 1.5x crop factor making the lens 42-120mm.

Regarding the flash don't forget don't let it overpower the shots. If its Nikon dedicated this will help, but I recommend not using Program or Auto as the speed will probably default to 1/60s, on my Canon its 1/125s this will often mean it will be faster than the ambient light and therefore the flash takes over giving you hot spots and flash drop off. It may all sound a bit complicated, but you will see when you start shooting. As I said I always use shutter priority as I can select any speed

[Lello]

Thanks again Stephen,

I have just downloaded the manual that will help me, And I've got all day tomorrow to have a little play with the D70 and the non dedicated flash with different settings before going to the Motor-show.
Thanks again
lello